US9094619B2 - Light source apparatus and projection apparatus - Google Patents

Light source apparatus and projection apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US9094619B2
US9094619B2 US13/607,335 US201213607335A US9094619B2 US 9094619 B2 US9094619 B2 US 9094619B2 US 201213607335 A US201213607335 A US 201213607335A US 9094619 B2 US9094619 B2 US 9094619B2
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light
blue
wavelength range
optical
light source
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US13/607,335
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US20130083295A1 (en
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Takeshi Miyazaki
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/20—Lamp housings
    • G03B21/2006—Lamp housings characterised by the light source
    • G03B21/2033—LED or laser light sources
    • G03B21/204—LED or laser light sources using secondary light emission, e.g. luminescence or fluorescence
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B27/00—Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups G02B1/00 - G02B26/00, G02B30/00
    • G02B27/10—Beam splitting or combining systems
    • G02B27/1006—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths
    • G02B27/102—Beam splitting or combining systems for splitting or combining different wavelengths for generating a colour image from monochromatic image signal sources
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03B—APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR
    • G03B21/00—Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor
    • G03B21/14—Details
    • G03B21/20—Lamp housings
    • G03B21/2006—Lamp housings characterised by the light source
    • G03B21/2013—Plural light sources
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3102—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM] using two-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators
    • H04N9/3111—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM] using two-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators for displaying the colours sequentially, e.g. by using sequentially activated light sources
    • H04N9/3114—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM] using two-dimensional electronic spatial light modulators for displaying the colours sequentially, e.g. by using sequentially activated light sources by using a sequential colour filter producing one colour at a time
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3141—Constructional details thereof
    • H04N9/315—Modulator illumination systems
    • H04N9/3158—Modulator illumination systems for controlling the spectrum
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
    • H04N9/12—Picture reproducers
    • H04N9/31—Projection devices for colour picture display, e.g. using electronic spatial light modulators [ESLM]
    • H04N9/3141—Constructional details thereof
    • H04N9/315—Modulator illumination systems
    • H04N9/3164—Modulator illumination systems using multiple light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a light source apparatus using a semiconductor light emitting device and a projection apparatus comprising the light source apparatus.
  • a projection apparatus which projects images by using a semiconductor light emitting device which radiates visible light.
  • a fluorescent material which receives light in a blue wavelength range and emits green light is provided, and the fluorescent material is illuminated with blue light.
  • light emission efficiency of green light can be improved by illuminating the fluorescent material with light in a blue wavelength range adequate for exciting the fluorescent material.
  • a blue wavelength range adequate for exciting a fluorescent material does not support chromaticity standards such as Standard RGB (sRGB).
  • a light emitting wavelength of a blue light source is made to support the chromaticity standard such as sRGB, light emission efficiency of the fluorescent material deteriorates.
  • the present invention has an object of providing a light source apparatus capable of improving both the light emission efficiency of light in a green wavelength range and the color reproducibility of light in a blue wavelength range, and a projection apparatus comprising the light source apparatus.
  • a light source apparatus including: a red light source which emits light in a red wavelength range; a first blue-light source which emits light in a first blue-wavelength range; a fluoresce or material which receives the light in the first blue-wavelength range and emits light in a green wavelength range; a second blue-light source which emits light in a second blue-wavelength range whose wavelengths are longer than those in the first blue-wavelength range; and an optical system which guides the light emitted from the red light source, the light emitted from the second blue-light source, and the light emitted from the fluorescent material, in a unique optical path.
  • a projection apparatus projects, to a predetermined projection plane, light emitted from the light source apparatus according to the one aspect.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic functional configuration of a data projection apparatus according to embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of configuration of a light source unit according to the first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing operation of the light source unit according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of configuration of a light source unit according to the second embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of the first configuration of an optical-path switcher and an optical-path switch controller
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the second configuration of an optical-path switcher and an optical-path switch controller
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of the third configuration of an optical-path switcher and an optical-path switch controller
  • FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing operation of the light source unit according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic functional configuration of a data projection apparatus 10 according to the embodiments of the invention. If descriptions below include an expression that “light” is reflected by a “mirror”, the expression means that the mirror totally reflects incident light, in principle.
  • An input unit 11 is configured by a video input terminal and audio input terminals of a pin jack (RCA) type, and a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI: registered trademark) input terminal.
  • the input unit 11 is input with image data and audio data according to various standards such as the NTSC system, from an external signal supply source outside the data projection apparatus 10 , and feeds the image data to an image converter 12 through a system bus SB as well as the audio data to an audio processor 22 . If the input image data and audio data are analogue signals, the input unit 11 firstly digitizes and then feeds the image data and audio data to the image converter 12 .
  • the image converter 12 is also referred to as a scaler.
  • the image converter 12 converts the image data input from the input unit 11 into image data of a predetermined format adequate for projection, and then feeds the converted image data to a projection processor 13 .
  • the image converter 12 superposes, on the image data, data such as symbols indicating various operation states for the purpose of on screen display (OSD) if necessary.
  • OSD on screen display
  • the projection processor 13 drives a micromirror element 14 as a spatial optical modulator in accordance with image data fed from the image converter 12 .
  • a drive cycle of the micromirror element 14 is set in accordance with a value obtained by multiplying a frame rate of image data, a division number of color components, and a number of display gradations of image data.
  • the projection processor 13 drives the light source unit 15 in accordance with the image data fed from the image converter 12 .
  • the micromirror element 14 is configured by a plurality of movable micromirrors arranged on an array.
  • the micromirrors are arrayed to correspond to, for example, the wide extended graphic array (WXGA [1280 pixels horizontally ⁇ 800 pixels vertically]).
  • WXGA wide extended graphic array
  • Each of the micromirrors is configured to be able to change a tilt angle at a high speed.
  • each of the micromirrors changes a light emission path of incident light entering from the light source unit 15 in accordance with the tilt angle. Specifically, when a micromirror is on, the micromirror reflects incident light toward a projection lens unit 17 . When a micromirror is off, the micromirror reflects incident light toward outside of the projection lens unit 17 .
  • the light source unit 15 as a light source apparatus in the present embodiment time-divisionally emits light of a plurality of colors including primary colors red, green, and blue toward a mirror 16 . Details of the configuration of the light source unit 15 will be described later.
  • the mirror 16 totally reflects incident light from the light source unit 15 toward the micromirror element 14 .
  • the projection lens unit 17 internally comprises an optical system which is configured to project an optical image formed of reflection light from the micromirror element 14 , onto a projection plane not shown.
  • a CPU 18 controls operations of circuits described above.
  • the CPU 18 is connected to a main memory 19 and a program memory 20 .
  • the main memory 19 is configured, for example, by a SRAM and functions as a work memory for control performed by the CPU 18 .
  • the program memory 20 is configured by an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, and stores operation programs to be performed by the CPU 18 , and data in various standard formats.
  • the CPU 18 is also connected to an operation unit 21 .
  • the operation unit 21 comprises a key operation unit provided on a body of the data projection apparatus 10 , and an infrared-light receiving unit which receives infrared light from a remote controller not shown but specialized only for the data projection apparatus 10 .
  • the operation unit 21 outputs operation signals corresponding to the user's operations.
  • the CPU 18 controls various operations of the data projection apparatus 10 in accordance with the operation signals.
  • the CPU 18 is also connected to the audio processor 22 through the system bus SB.
  • the audio processor 22 comprises a sound source circuit such as a PCM sound source.
  • the audio processor 22 transforms audio data input through the input unit 11 into an analogue audio signal, and outputs the analogue audio signal to a loudspeaker unit 23 to drive the unit 23 . Accordingly, the loudspeaker unit 23 produces sound.
  • the audio processor 22 also generates a beep sound from the loudspeaker unit 23 if necessary.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example of configuration of the light source unit 15 according to the first embodiment of the invention.
  • the light source unit 15 in the present embodiment is configured to emit of any one of red, green, and blue light from a light emitting part by using three semiconductor light emitting devices.
  • a first blue-light source 3 J is a semiconductor light emitting device which emits light B 1 in a first blue-wavelength range, and is configured by, for example, a laser diode.
  • the first blue-wavelength range is a wavelength range adequate for exciting a fluorescent material 34 , for example, a wavelength range of 440 to 445 nm.
  • the first blue-light source 31 is configured to emit blue light having a wavelength of 445 nm.
  • FIG. 2 shows only one first blue-light source 31 , a plurality of light sources are arrayed in a matrix (in a plane) in actual.
  • a dichroic mirror 32 is provided on an optical axis of the first blue-light source 31 and is configured to reflect light in a green wavelength range and to allow light in the other wavelength range to pass.
  • Dichroic mirror 32 is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees to an optical axis of a lens 33 which will be described later.
  • Lens 33 converges blue light B 1 passing through dichroic mirror 32 and green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 .
  • FIG. 2 shows only one lens 33 .
  • the same function as lens 33 may alternatively be achieved by a plurality of lenses.
  • the fluorescent material 34 is configured by applying, onto a surface thereof, a fluorescent material which is excited by light of a predetermined wavelength, for example, 445 nm, and emits light in the green wavelength range.
  • the fluorescent material 34 receives blue light B 1 passing through lens 33 and emits green light G toward lens 33 .
  • a lens 35 is provided on a reflection light axis of dichroic mirror 32 and converges the green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 and passing through dichroic mirror 32 .
  • lens 35 may be configured by a plurality of lenses.
  • a dichroic mirror 36 is configured to reflect light in the green wavelength range and to allow light in the other wavelength range to pass, like dichroic mirror 32 .
  • Dichroic mirror 36 is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees to an optical axis of lens 35 .
  • a lens 37 is provided on a reflection light axis of dichroic mirror 36 , and converges incident light. Like lenses 33 and 35 , lens 37 may be configured by a plurality of lenses.
  • a light tunnel 38 internally totally reflects incident light from lens 37 to travel and emits the light as uniform planar light.
  • the light tunnel 38 functions as a light emitting part of the light source unit 15 .
  • a second blue-light source 39 is a semiconductor light emitting device which emits light 52 in a second blue-wavelength range shifted to a longer wavelength side than the first blue-wavelength range.
  • the second blue-light source 39 is configured by a laser diode.
  • the second blue-wavelength range is a wavelength range corresponding in chromaticity to “standard blue” defined by a standard RGB (sRGB) color space, for example, a wavelength range of 460 to 480 nm.
  • FIG. 2 shows only one second blue-light source 39 , a plurality of light sources are arrayed in a matrix (in a plane) in actual.
  • a red light source 40 is a semiconductor light emitting device which emits light R in a red wavelength range, and is configured by, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser diode.
  • the red light source 40 is positioned in a manner that emitted light thereof has an optical axis parallel to the optical axis of emitted light from the second blue-light source 39 .
  • FIG. 2 shows only one red light source 40 , a plurality of light sources are arrayed in a matrix (in a plane) in actual.
  • a diffusion plate 41 allows blue light B 2 from the second blue-light source 39 to pass while diffusing blue light 52 .
  • the diffusion plate 41 is driven to rotate or vibrate by a motor not shown when blue light B 2 or red light R passes through and is diffused by the diffusion plate.
  • a lens 42 is provided so as to converge diffused light from the diffusion plate 41 .
  • lens 42 may be configured by a plurality of lenses.
  • the diffusion plate 41 , lens 42 , dichroic mirror 36 , and lens 37 function as a first optical-guide system and a fourth optical-guide system.
  • dichroic mirror 32 and lens 33 function as a second optical-guide system.
  • Lens 33 , dichroic mirror 32 , lens 35 , dichroic mirror 36 , and lens 37 function as a third optical-guide system.
  • Configurations of the optical guide systems shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples and can appropriately be modified. Specifically, any optical system, which is configured to be able to guide the red light R emitted from the red light source 40 to the light tunnel 38 , can function as the first optical-guide system.
  • any optical system which is configured to be able to guide blue light B 1 emitted from the first blue-light source 31 to the fluorescent material 34 , can function as the second optical-guide system.
  • any optical system which is configured to be able to guide the green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 to the light tunnel 38 , can function as the third optical-guide system.
  • any optical system which is configured to be able to guide blue light B 2 emitted from the second blue-light source 39 to the light tunnel 38 , can function as the fourth optical-guide system.
  • the projection processor 13 performs operation of the light source unit 15 under control of the CPU 18 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls light emission timing the first blue-light source 31 , second blue-light source 39 , and red light source 40 in the light source unit 15 , so as to project an image expressed by image data onto a projection plane.
  • Projection images forming one frame are configured by projection images for a plurality of fields. In each field, projection images of different colors are projected onto the projection plane.
  • One frame includes at least three fields of a field R, a field G, and a field B.
  • field R a red projection image is projected onto the projection plane.
  • field G a green projection image is projected onto the projection plane.
  • field B a blue projection image is projected onto the projection plane.
  • FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing operation of the light source unit 15 .
  • the projection processor 13 makes the red light source 40 emit light.
  • the red light R emitted from the red light source 40 is diffused by the diffusion plate 41 and is converged by lens 42 , and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • dichroic mirror 36 is configured to allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass. Therefore, the red light R passes through dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 . Further, the red light R is reflected by an inner surface of the light tunnel 38 and is emitted as uniform planar light from the light tunnel 38 , and reaches the micromirror element 14 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls the micromirrors to turn on/off in accordance with gradations of red components of input image data where the micromirrors form the micromirror element 14 .
  • each of the micromirrors forming the micromirror element 14 reflects incident light toward the projection lens unit 17 when turned on.
  • each of the micromirrors reflects the incident light toward outside of the projection lens unit 17 .
  • the red light R is projected onto pixel positions on the projection plane, by a number of times when the micromirrors are turned on in field R, the pixel positions corresponding to the micromirrors turned on. Averaged by time, this operation is equivalent to projection of a red projection image having gradations according to image data.
  • the projection processor 13 makes the first blue-light source 31 emit light.
  • Blue light B 1 emitted from the first blue-light source 31 reaches dichroic mirror 32 .
  • dichroic mirror 32 is configured to allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass. Therefore, blue light B 1 passes through dichroic mirror 32 and is converged by lens 33 , and enters the fluorescent material 34 .
  • the green light G is emitted from the fluorescent material 34 .
  • Blue light B 1 is light in a wavelength range adequate for exciting the fluorescent material 34 . Therefore, the present embodiment is capable of increasing light emission efficiency of the green light G.
  • the green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 is converged by lens 33 and is reflected by dichroic mirror 32 .
  • the green light G is then converged by lens 35 and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • the green light G is reflected by dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls the micromirrors of the micromirror element 14 to turned on/off in accordance with gradations of green components of input image data. In this manner, a green image which has predetermined gradations on time average is projected.
  • the projection processor 13 makes the second blue-light source 39 emit light.
  • Blue light B 2 emitted from the second blue-light source 39 is diffused by the diffusion plate 41 and is converged by lens 42 , and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • dichroic mirror 36 is configured to allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass. Therefore, blue light B 2 passes through dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 . Further, blue light B 2 is reflected by the inner surface of the light tunnel 38 and is emitted as uniform planar light from the light tunnel 38 , and reaches the micromirror element 14 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls the micromirrors of the micromirror element 14 to turn on/off in accordance with gradations of blue components of input image data. In this manner, a blue image which has predetermined gradations on time average is projected.
  • Blue light B 2 is light in a wavelength range adequate for blue display. Therefore, the present embodiment can display blue color with excellent color reproducibility.
  • projection images of arbitrary colors can be displayed at arbitrary pixel positions on the projection plane, on time average.
  • the light sources are caused to emit light in fields R, G, and B in the first frame. Averaged by time, therefore, equivalence to projection of a white projection image is achieved.
  • the light sources are caused to emit light in fields R and G. On time average, equivalence to projection of a yellow projection image is achieved.
  • a field in which a plurality of light sources are caused to simultaneously emit light may be added.
  • a field W (white) in which the red light source 40 , first blue-light source 31 , and second blue-light source 39 are caused to simultaneously emit light is additionally included in one frame, luminance of projection images can be controlled.
  • blue light sources specialized respectively for exciting the fluorescent material 34 and for blue projection images.
  • the light emission efficiency of light in the green wavelength range and the color reproducibility of light in the blue wavelength range can both be improved.
  • the second embodiment uses a second blue-light source to excite a fluorescent material.
  • the same schematic functional configuration of the data projection apparatus 10 as described with reference to FIG. 1 is applicable also to the present embodiment. Descriptions thereof will be therefore omitted.
  • FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a light source unit 15 according to the second embodiment of the invention.
  • Features of the configuration which are identical to or correspond to those of FIG. 2 will be denoted at the same reference signs as denoted in p FIG. 2 .
  • the first blue-light source 31 is the same as that described in FIG. 1 , and is preferably configured to emit blue light B 1 having a wavelength of 445 nm.
  • the second blue-light source 39 is configured to emit blue light B 2 in a wavelength range corresponding in chromaticity to “standard blue” defined by a color space such as standard RGB (sRGB), for example, wavelength range of 460 to 480 nm.
  • the first blue-light source 31 and the second blue-light source 39 are positioned at an angle of 90 degrees relative to each other, as shown in FIG. 4 , and rays of light emitted from the light sources cross each other at a predetermined position.
  • An optical-path switcher 43 is provided at a point of intersection of a light emission path of the first blue-light source 31 and a light emission path of the second blue-light source 39 .
  • the optical-path switcher 43 guides blue light B 1 from the first blue-light source 31 to a dichroic mirror 32 , and guides blue light 52 from the second blue-light source 39 to dichroic mirror 32 or a dichroic mirror 45 .
  • the optical-path switcher 43 guides blue light B 2 to dichroic mirror in a first operation in a field G, and guides blue light B 2 to dichroic mirror 45 , in a second operation in a field B.
  • An optical-path switch controller 44 time-divisionally controls switching of optical paths by the optical-path switcher 43 .
  • the control of the optical-path switch controller 44 is performed by the projection processor 13 under control of the CPU 18 .
  • Dichroic mirror 32 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and is configured to reflect light in a green wavelength range and to allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass. Dichroic mirror 32 is positioned at 45 degrees to the optical axis of a lens 33 .
  • Lens 33 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and is positioned on the optical axis of the first blue-light source 31 .
  • Lens 33 converges mixed light of blue light B 1 and B 2 passing through dichroic mirror 32 and green light G emitted from a fluorescent material 34 .
  • the fluorescent material 34 is configured by applying, to a surface thereof, a fluorescent material, which is excited by light of a predetermined wavelength, for example, light of wavelength 445 nm and emits light in the green wavelength range.
  • the fluorescent material 34 receives blue light B 1 passing through lens 33 and emits green light G toward lens 33 .
  • a lens 35 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 .
  • Lens 35 is provided on a reflection light axis of dichroic mirror 32 , and converges green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 and passing through dichroic mirror 32 .
  • a dichroic mirror 36 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and is configured to reflect light in the green wavelength range and allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass, like dichroic mirror 32 .
  • Dichroic mirror 36 is positioned at 45 degrees to the optical axis of lens 35 .
  • a lens 37 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 .
  • Lens 37 is provided on a reflection light axis of dichroic mirror 36 , and converges incident light.
  • a light tunnel 38 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 .
  • the light tunnel 38 internally totally reflects incident light from lens 37 to travel, and emits the light as uniform planar light.
  • a red light source 40 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and is configured by a semiconductor light emitting device which emits light R in a red wavelength range, for example, a light emitting diode or a laser diode.
  • a dichroic mirror 45 is configured to reflect light in a blue wavelength range and to allow light other than that in the blue wavelength range to pass.
  • Dichroic mirror 45 is positioned at 45 degrees to the optical axis of the red light source 40 and also to a light, emission axis of blue light B 2 of an optical-path switcher 43 .
  • a diffusion plate 41 corresponds to that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and allows light from dichroic mirror 45 to pass while diffusing the light.
  • a lens 42 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 1 , and is positioned to converge diffused light from the diffusion plate 41 .
  • dichroic mirror 45 In the light source unit 15 shown in FIG. 4 , dichroic mirror 45 , diffusion plate 41 , lens 42 , dichroic mirror 36 , and lens 37 function as a first optical-guide system and a fourth optical-guide system.
  • Dichroic mirror 32 and lens 33 function as a second optical-guide system.
  • Lens 33 , dichroic mirror 32 , lens 35 , dichroic mirror 36 , and lens 37 function as a third optical-guide system. Configurations of the optical guide systems shown in FIG. 4 are merely examples and can appropriately be modified.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of the first configuration of the optical-path switcher 43 and an optical-path switch controller 44 .
  • the optical-path switcher 43 is configured by a polarization beam splitter 431
  • the optical-path switch controller 44 is configured by a polarization beam element 441 a and a polarization controller 441 b.
  • the polarization beam splitter 431 is configured to allow light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 1 to pass, and to reflect light having a plane of polarization perpendicular to blue light B 1 .
  • the polarization beam splitter 431 is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees to each of a light emission path of the first blue-light source 31 and a light emission path of the second blue-light source 39 .
  • the configuration of the polarization beam splitter 431 is merely an example and can be modified.
  • the polarization beam splitter 431 may be configured to reflect light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 1 and to allow light having a plane of polarization perpendicular to blue light 31 to pass. In this case, the positional relationship between dichroic mirror 32 and dichroic mirror 45 may be reversed from that shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the polarizing element 441 a changes the plane of polarization of incident light.
  • the polarizing element 441 a may be an element, such as a liquid crystal element which changes the plane of polarization of incident light by application of a voltage. Otherwise, the polarizing element may be an element configured to change the plane of polarization of incident light by generating a magnetic field in the element by application of the Faraday effect.
  • the polarization controller 441 b controls polarization states of incident light by the polarizing element 441 a . For example, when the polarizing element 441 a is configured by a liquid crystal element, the polarization controller 441 b controls a voltage applied to the polarizing element 441 a.
  • blue light B 1 passes through the polarization beam splitter 431 and is guided to dichroic mirror 32
  • blue light B 2 passes through the polarization beam splitter 431 and is guided to dichroic mirror 45 .
  • FIGS. 6A and 6B show an example of the second configuration of the optical-path switcher 43 and optical-path switch controller 44 .
  • FIG. 6A shows an example in which the optical-path switcher 43 is configured by a dichroic wheel 432 and the light-pass switch controller 44 is configured by a rotation controller 442 .
  • FIG. 6B is a front view of the dichroic wheel 432 viewed from a direction A in FIG. 6A .
  • the dichroic wheel 432 is configured to be rotatable about an axis of rotation O, and is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees to each of the light emission path of the first blue-light source 31 and the light emission path of the second blue-light source 39 . Further, as shown in FIG. 6B , a first region 432 a and a second region 432 b are formed on a circumferential surface of the dichroic wheel 432 .
  • the first region 432 a is a region of a dichroic filter configured to allow light in a first blue-wavelength range to pass, and to reflect light in the other wavelength range.
  • the second region 432 b is, for example, a glass-made region which allows light in both first and second blue-wavelength ranges to pass.
  • the rotation controller 442 is configured by a motor and a drive circuit thereof.
  • the motor rotates the dichroic wheel 432 about the axis of rotation O thereof.
  • the drive circuit drives the motor.
  • FIG. 7 shows an example of the third configuration of the optical-path switcher 43 and the optical-path switch controller 44 .
  • the optical-path switcher 43 is configured by a holographic optical element 433
  • the optical-path switch controller 44 is configured by a voltage controller 443 .
  • the holographic optical element 433 is configured to change a light emission path of incident light by states of voltage application. Details of this element are disclosed in, for example, Jpn. PCT National Publication No. 2002-525646.
  • the holographic optical element 433 according to the present embodiment is configured as follows. When a first voltage is applied, the holographic optical element 433 allows light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 1 to pass and reflects light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 2 . When a second voltage different from the first voltage is applied, the holographic optical element 433 allows both the light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 1 and the light having the same plane of polarization as blue light B 2 to pass.
  • the holographic optical element 433 is positioned at 45 degrees to each of the light emission paths of the first blue-light source 31 and the second blue-light source 39 .
  • the voltage controller 443 applies a first or second voltage to the holographic optical element 433 .
  • blue light B 1 passes through the holographic optical element 433 and is guided to dichroic mirror 32
  • blue light B 2 is reflected by the holographic optical element 433 and is guided to dichroic mirror 32
  • blue light B 1 passes through the holographic optical element 433 and is guided to dichroic mirror 32
  • blue light B 2 also passes through the holographic optical element 433 and is guided to dichroic mirror 45 .
  • the light emission path of blue light B 2 can be switched time-divisionally.
  • Operation of the light source unit 15 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. In the same manner as the light source unit 15 shown in FIG. 2 operates, operation of the light source unit 15 shown in FIG. 4 is also performed by the projection processor 13 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls light emission timings of the first blue-light source 31 , second blue-light source 39 , and red light source 40 so as to project an image expressed by image data onto the projection plane.
  • FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing operation of the light source unit 15 .
  • the projection processor 13 makes the red light source 40 emit light.
  • the projection processor 13 does not control the optical-path switch controller 44 .
  • the red light R emitted from the red light source 40 reaches dichroic mirror 45 .
  • dichroic mirror 45 is configured to allow light other than that in the blue wavelength range to pass. Therefore, the red light R passes through dichroic mirror 45 , is diffused by the diffusion plate 41 , is converged by lens 42 , and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • the red light R passes through dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 .
  • the red light R is reflected by an inner surface of the light tunnel 38 , is emitted as uniform planar light from the light tunnel 38 , and reaches a micromirror element 14 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls micromirrors of the micromirror element 14 to turn on/off in accordance with gradations of red components of input image data. In this manner, a red image which has predetermined gradations on time average is projected.
  • the projection processor 13 makes the first blue-light source 31 and second blue-light source 39 emit light. Also, the projection processor 13 controls the optical-path switch controller 44 to make the optical-path switcher 43 perform a first operation (of allowing blue light B 1 to pass and reflecting blue light B 2 ). Blue light E 1 emitted from the first blue-light source 31 and blue light B 2 emitted from the second blue-light source 39 reach the optical-path switcher 43 . Further, blue light B 1 and B 2 are guided to dichroic mirror 32 . As has been described above, dichroic mirror 32 is configured to allow light, other than that in the green wavelength range to pass.
  • blue light B 1 and B 2 pass through dichroic mirror 32 , are converged by lens 33 , and enter the fluorescent material 34 .
  • the green light G is emitted from the fluorescent material 34 .
  • the green light G emitted from the fluorescent material 34 is converged by lens 33 , and is reflected by dichroic mirror 32 .
  • the green light G is further converged by lens 35 and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • the green light G is reflected by dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls the micromirrors of the micromirror element 14 in accordance with gradations of green components of input image data. In this manner, a green image which has predetermined gradations on time average is projected.
  • the projection processor 13 makes the second blue-light source 39 emit light. Also, the projection processor 13 controls the optical-path switch controller 44 to make the optical-path switcher 43 perform a second operation (of allowing both blue light B 1 and B 2 to pass). Blue light B 2 emitted from the second blue-light source 39 reaches the optical-path switcher 43 . Further, blue light B 2 is guided to dichroic mirror 45 . As described above, dichroic mirror 45 is configured to reflect light in the blue wavelength range. Therefore, blue light B 2 is reflected by dichroic mirror 45 , and is diffused by the diffusion plate 41 . Blue light B 2 is then converged by lens 42 and reaches dichroic mirror 36 .
  • dichroic mirror 36 is configured to allow light other than that in the green wavelength range to pass. Therefore, blue light B 2 passes through dichroic mirror 36 and is converged by lens 37 , and enters the light tunnel 38 . Further, blue light B 2 is reflected by the inner surface of the light tunnel 38 , is emitted as uniform planar light from the light tunnel 38 , and reaches the micromirror element 14 .
  • the projection processor 13 controls the micromirrors of the micromirror element 14 in accordance with gradations of blue components of input image data. In this manner, a blue image which has predetermined gradations on time average is projected.
  • projection images of arbitrary colors can be displayed at arbitrary pixel positions on the projection plane, on time average.
  • the light sources are made to emit light in each of fields R, G, and B in the first frame in FIG. 8 . Accordingly, equivalence to projection of a white projection image is obtained on time average. Further, in the second frame, the light sources are made to emit light in each of fields R and G. Therefore, equivalence to projection of a yellow projection image is achieved on time average.
  • blue light sources are provided respectively for exciting the fluorescent material 34 and for blue projection images, and the blue light source for blue projection images is used to time-divisionally excite the fluorescent material 34 .
  • color reproducibility using light in the blue wavelength range can be improved while light emission efficiency of light in the green wavelength range can be more improved.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Projection Apparatus (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Transforming Electric Information Into Light Information (AREA)
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US9366948B2 (en) 2016-06-14
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JP2013076836A (ja) 2013-04-25
US20130083295A1 (en) 2013-04-04

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